#bus rental cost | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

phoenixyfriend · 1 year

Text

Ko-Fi prompt from KemiKitty:

id enjoy hearing about concerts and ticket money if you want

Referencing my “how does this make money/how does this lose money” in this post.

Whoo! I actually really enjoy talking about money flow like this. Digging into examples like this helps with understanding the interconnectedness of the economic systems we inhabit, and with why things cost What They Do.

Disclaimer: I have not worked in this industry. I just majored in business, watch a lot of documentaries/video essays, and like to break down business and economic topics. When I got to performances, I try to figure these things out as an observer (dinner theater from watching Lindsey Sterling before she got super famous, more Traditional concerts at Staller Performing Arts center, Broadway shows) and asking questions of tour guides when at places like the Vienna Opera House.

Our Example: A moderately popular performer, in an enclosed performance space with a stage, fixed seating, and food service.

Let us consider a performer of middling popularity. They go on tours, but only in the lower 48 states, not yet internationally. They do single nights at an independent venue, which has either dinner tables or rows of audience seating. Let's say... 350 seats, in a middle-sized city, with $30/ticket on average, with wiggle room depending on seating, VIP passes, and discounts (groupons, senior, military, annual passes, etc).

So, who is getting paid, and who is paying?

Money coming into the venue, tied directly to this one event:

Tickets The people who came to this concert are paying for the tickets. 350 seats, at an average of $30/ticket, that's about $10,500. Most of this money does not go to the venue, but may pass through it, or leave a cut with it. (Depends on the ticketing software; we're saying this is an independent venue, not part of the ticketmaster situation, so it's a maybe.)

Food and drink The venue sells snacks, possibly full meals, if it's a dinner-and-show location. It may sell alcohol. It almost definitely sells drinks, maybe has vending machines if nothing else. If attendees cannot bring their own food and drink, and don't want to leave the building so they don't miss the show, then the venue can mark up the food they sell.

Merchandise Dependent on the type of merch and the venue, this may be a flat fee, where the performer puts down a few hundred dollars up front to set up a table for after the concert, or it might be taking a small cut of whatever is sold that night. They might not charge anything, but we'll include it as a likely avenue of income. I can see some kinder venues waiving the fee for newer, up-and-coming artists, but generally you can assume that the venue will take a cut.

Money flowing out of the venue, tied directly to this one event:

The Performer and their team The ticket costs will go primarily to the performer, their backup dancers/singers/band, their manager, and whatever fund they have for things other than wages, like a tour bus rental fee, the label, the driver, the night's post-concert laundry costs, and so on. The chances of all that money going to a single performer is very low; you can generally assume they have backup, management, additional costs, and someone pulling the strings. There are exceptions, like unaffiliated stand-up comedians or other, genuinely solo acts, but for the type of event I'm outlining, these are all contributing factors. Performers may bring their own lighting/sound techs. The venue also might provide their own. For a larger venue, I'd assume both are involved; one who knows the concert's program, and one who knows the venue's setup.

Venue staff The ushers, lighting/sound technicians, the bar staff, the cook, the janitor, security, and anyone else who is working night-of is getting paid. We can equate their pay to the money coming in from specifically the food and drink sales, along with tips for the waitstaff in particular. By this, I mean that the correlation is such that, should sales fall, the corresponding cut in costs is employee labor (the bar staff and cooks), rather than the performers (whose costs are calculated in relation to the money they bring in relating to the ticket sales).

Food and Drink Raw ingredients for the food, wholesale costs for the liquor, napkins, single-use straws, and so on.

Printed Programs Someone has to print the little booklet that tells you who's performing tonight, who's performing for the next few months, and anything else you need to know. If it's a big-name cultural center, they may even include some interviews! But ink is expensive, and that's a lot of paper.

Money coming into the venue, not connected to the specific event:

Advertising Does the venue have posters around for local businesses? For insurance companies? For upcoming events? Someone is paying them for that. Does the venue intersperse the pre-show music over the speakers with the occasional ad spot? Someone is paying them for that. Does the venue have ads in the program booklet? Someone is paying them for that. For a really, really large venue, the kind with dozens or hundreds of employees and massive lighting/sound setups, they are liable to get most of their income from advertising.

Government Grants and Private Donations Depending on the venue, they may donations or grants. This is more likely to apply to a university/community performing arts center than a for-profit dinner theater, but it's a possibility.

Merchandise The venue may have merch that is unrelated to the performance of the night. A historic or novelty location is most likely to have success with this, selling beer glasses with their logo or a t-shirt with 'home of the [band from several decades ago]' printed across the front.

Money flowing out of the venue, not connected to the specific event:

Administrative/Overhead Employees Management, bookkeeping, legal, marketing, and so on.

Utilities Electricity, water, sewage, gas, telecomm, and so on.

Taxes, Licenses, Fees Sales tax, property tax, liquor license, etc.

Mortgage or lease The venue's business owner is not necessarily the one to own the property outright. They may pay rent to a property owner, or mortgage to the bank.

Maintenance - Building Codes Any large building is going to need plumbers, glass techs, electricians, roofers, and so on coming by with regularity. (This part, I actually do know; I used to do repairs dispatching, and you'd be amazed how frequently a big box store needs someone to come by about the toilets.)

Maintenance - Venue Codes There are certain things that an entertainment venue needs to do that other businesses... don't. Namely, fire safety. It's a huge deal. Staying up to code can be expensive, especially if you need to get your backstage/wing curtains chemically treated again, which can be anywhere from one to five years, or the next time someone spills water on it. (That's the main reason open containers of liquids aren't allowed backstage.)

Marketing Just like people pay the venue to advertise, the venue pays for others to advertise it. This could be in the local newspaper or online, but if a given performer isn't someone semi-famous on tour that has a following, then something else needs to draw in a regular paying crowd.

Miscellaneous Overhead There is a lot of overhead for any business of moderate size that has its costs spread out over the year. This includes hiring an accountant for tax season, purchasing uniforms for employees, replacing cutlery and plates and furniture as it wears out or gets lost, repainting the walls every few years, office supplies when the printer for the programs wears out, and so on.

Is this everything? Almost definitely not.

But, hopefully, I've untangled a few things that you may not have considered before.

Those tickets and drinks you bought cover a lot more than just the performer!

...unless it's through ticketmaster, in which case it's probably just the monopoly.

----

If you enjoyed this post, please support me on ko-fi! You can also prompt me for a business/econ topic of your choice here.

#business #budgeting #accounting #phoenix posts #ko fi #ko fi prompts #economics prompts #theater fires #are a big deal #this is what accountants do btw. they track all of this plus less concrete stuff like depreciating value or deferred costs

68 notes · View notes

anniesocsandgeneralstore · 8 months

Text

rhett abbott x oc | an alternate universe

Summary: "we rented a place together with our friend group for vacation, but there are only double beds in every room and everyone else already found a sleeping partner" (wc: 2216)

Requested: YES by anon

Warnings: alcohol mention, there was only one bed trope, a little sexual tension, i made tess a virgin in this for reasons that cannot be explained, maria is here in the background...lurking

✎……MASTERLIST

It had been five years since high school graduation. And the Amelia County High School Rodeo Team class of 2015 decided to get together for a little reunion. Team captains, Taylor Goyer and Dalton Allen, organized the whole thing. Sent out invitations, made sure everyone paid them on time for tickets and group meals and the rental they were all staying at together.

They were turning the reunion into a real affair. A week long trip to Cheyenne for the Frontier Days. A nationally known two-week rodeo event that they all dreamed of participating in when they were teenagers. But now, most of them had given up on the rodeo life — working regular jobs with only fond memories of roping cattle, riding bareback, and wrestling steer.

Not to mention the mansion AirBnB monstrosity in Cheyenne they chose to rent. With a pool, seven bedrooms, and a kitchen big enough to feed an army. It cost a ridiculous amount, even split up between fourteen people.

They were going to trash the place, of that much Tessa Abernathy was certain. But at least they would all have fun together again. Just like those long bus rides to South Dakota or sneaking down to the hotel pool at midnight in Montana.

And despite her apprehensions about going, Tessa was excited about the trip. She hadn’t been to Frontier Days since she was a kid and even though there was always going to be a mess that needed cleaning at the rental, she was looking forward to hanging out with her old friends again.

But the excitement quickly drained from her when they got back from their first day at the Frontier — only just now getting inside their AirBnB at nearly midnight. A day filled with midway carnival rides, taste testing beers in the garden, and exploring old frontier town.

“You’ve got t’be kidding,” Tessa said to Taylor as everyone went their separate ways in the living room — to their beds for the night.

“Sorry babe,” Taylor spoke sympathetically with a hand on her shoulder. “But ya fell asleep on the ride over.”

“So that means I have t’room with him?” she whispered back, trying not to let him hear — because, even though she didn’t want to share a room with him, didn’t mean she wanted to hurt his feelings either.

Taylor laughed lightly. “S’s just Rhett. Not like he’s gonna murder ya.”

“But — But y’said each room only has a double…” Tessa shifted her eyes over to him warily. “He’s a guy.”

He was standing at the bottom of the stairs. Duffle bag at his booted feet. At this moment, she hated to admit that he looked good. Really good. Wearing dark jeans and a t-shirt from an old rodeo, trucker-cap on his head covering those dark brown curls that stuck out the back. The veins in his forearms and the backs of his hands standing out in stark contrast in the dim light of the foyer. She also hated that he was being nice enough to wait on her.

It sparked to life something that had been living inside her since she was fourteen. An adolescent crush she thought had been snuffed out by time. But no. Apparently the only thing that was needed to bring it to life again was the prospect of sharing a bed with him. With Rhett Abbott. The only one of their old team who still lived the rodeo life. Who made a living off riding bulls and had the reputation to back it up. She was surprised he even signed up to come on this trip.

“Tess, look, y’re a big girl. If it bothers ya so much, y’can sleep on the couch down here.” Taylor gestured to the living room where a small mid-century modern leather atrocity sat waiting for her. “Be my guest.”

“Ugh, fine.”

With a roll of her eyes and a heat in her cheeks she begged to God would go away, she picked up her bag and headed for the stairs. Rhett smiled, small and unsure, as she passed him. But she didn’t dare look at him for more than a second. Would rather spare herself the embarrassment for the time being.

“Last door on the left!” Taylor called out and laughed when Tessa gave her a thumbs up back without looking.

The room, at least, was nice. Hardwood floors with a nice big rug, a window seat that overlooked the backyard, an ensuite bathroom shared with the room next to them, and a four-poster canopy bed with a fluffy comforter and pillows.

With a sigh, Tessa dropped her bag by the wardrobe shoved against the wall opposite the bed. Claiming at least one space for herself. Rhett followed in shortly after that, something tentative in his steps as he set his duffle down by the door and toed off his boots.

“Y’mind if I shut the door?” he asked quietly, voice a low grumble in his chest after a long day.

“Um — y-yeah, that’s fine,” she replied, nervously rubbing at the thighs of her jeans.

Rhett closed the door softly and suddenly she felt like there wasn’t enough space in the room. Not enough air. She moved away from him slowly, trying not to make it obvious, and towards the large window. Feigning wanting to look at the view.

“Look, I, uh…I don’wanna make ya uncomfortable,” he started slowly and she turned to him with furrowed brows, listening. “I c’n jus’ — sleep on the floor’re somethin’.”

Tessa immediately shook her head. “No, m’not gonna make y’do that. N’that couch downstairs looks about as uncomfortable as these floors, so…”

They both laughed gently at that. And somehow she was starting to hate him more while simultaneously fighting down the butterflies in her stomach. Why did he have to be so courteous too? So nice? She didn’t want to make him sleep on the floor. He would be miserable, most likely sore and sleep deprived. And neither of them really wanted to subject themselves to even sitting on that couch, let alone trying to sleep on it. So there were really no other options. It was the bed for both of them. Even though the idea left Tessa’s guts swirling and her sweaty hands wringing themselves red.

“So y’re okay with sharin’?” he questioned with a glance towards the bed.

The bed that suddenly looked so, so small.

“In a minute, maybe,” she laughed nervously, pushing a hand through her hair. “Let’s jus’...Get ready f’r bed n’bite the bullet.”

Rhett huffed. “Makin’ it sound like y’re sharin’ a bed with an ogre.”

“M’sorry! I jus’, uh — haven’t really — done this sorta — Jesus, this’s embarrassin’,” she grumbled, trying to hide her reddening cheeks with her hands.

“Shit, Tess, I’s jokin’,” he chuckled lowly, taking his hat off with the first two fingers of his hand and setting it down on the small table by the door.

“Right.” She wanted to kick herself, or disappear into the floor, or just something. So instead she chose to grab her bag and head for the bathroom. “M’gonna change.”

“Okay,” he laughed again with a shake of his head.

How can he be so calm about this? How can he be so casual about sharing a bed with a girl he barely knows? She supposed, as she slipped into the bathroom and locked the door behind her, he was used to this kind of thing. Going around the circuit and sleeping with whatever buckle bunny showed interest. Or at least that was what the rumor mill around Wabang liked to tell her. This was just a regular Tuesday night for him. But it wasn’t for her. She had barely even kissed a guy let alone shared a bed with one. In either sense of the word. An embarrassing factoid she liked to keep to herself, one that she hoped Rhett Abbott wouldn’t pick up on as he slept right beside her for the next six nights.

Once changed into her pajamas, with her teeth and hair brushed, Tessa came back out into the bedroom sheepishly. But she couldn’t help the delicate squeak that slipped past her lips at the sight of Rhett standing on one side of the bed.

In nothing but his boxers. Showing off those broad shoulders and toned abdomen, that bull-rider tattoo on his chest and the scar on his shoulder, and those pale but thick thighs.

At the sound, he looked over at her with scrunched brows and thin lips downturned. Then he looked her up and down.

“That what you wear t’bed? Seriously?”

Tessa looked down at her clothes, a pink pajama set — shorts and a tank top — with strawberries all over. She thought they were cute, and always liked wearing pajama sets to bed, even when she was alone. But now that she was standing in front of him, she just felt silly and like she needed to cover up. She crossed her arms in front of herself and gave him a look.

“That’s what you wear t’bed? Seriously?” she repeated, looking pointedly at his plaid boxers, trying to match his tone.

“S’hot!” he defended with a gesture towards the window.

“Y’could at least put on a shirt r’somethin’,” she went on, crossing the room to stand on the other side of the bed.

Rhett rolled his eyes. “S’not like y’re wearin’ much more than me.”

“I didn’think I’d have t’share a room!” she shot back, yanking back the covers with a huff and a deep breath.

It seemed he had no rebuttal for that. Instead, he quietly slipped the t-shirt he was wearing earlier back on before sitting down at the edge of the bed. Back turned to her as he messed with his phone.

There was relative silence between them after that. Tessa set out her slippers for the morning, knowing she was going to be the first one up and her bare toes would freeze on this floor. Then she plugged in her phone and set it on the side table, setting no alarm. There was nothing on the reunion schedule until one o’clock in the afternoon. A shared lunch at some cantina in town before heading back to the Frontier.

She settled back in the covers, trying to keep as close to the edge of the mattress as possible to keep as much space between her and Rhett. The overhead light was turned off, only the light of their respective table lamps remained. Tessa shut her’s off with another sigh she hoped didn’t sound as shaky outloud as it did in her head.

Rhett didn’t seem to notice. Too preoccupied with his phone as he kicked up his feet and leaned back against the headboard, a small smile on his face. She looked over her shoulder at him curiously.

“That Maria?” she questioned before she could stop herself.

She knew they had reconnected recently, what with Maria back in Wabang from college what seemed like permanently. And she knew Rhett always had a crush on her. Which was why Tessa’s crush always seemed like a futile and doomed little thing. Who was she in comparison to Maria Olivares? The girl Rhett’s been dreaming about since he was a kid? She had seen them hanging out together at the Handsome Gambler, even making out outside the Pit Bar once or twice. Always a fleeting thought and never something she focused on. She wasn’t sure they were dating, but they were certainly a Thing — whatever that meant for them.

“Uh, yeah,” Rhett replied, locking his phone and setting it aside. “Tellin’ me about’er day.”

“You gonna tell’er y’re sharin’ a bed with someone else?” she asked with a grin.

“Probably not,” he laughed. “She…Hasn’t really asked about the trip anyways, so…”

“Oh.” That seemed odd to Tessa. If she was his girlfriend, and he was gone on a week-long trip, she would be asking every day what he was doing. Wondering if he was having fun and being safe. But that was none of her business. “What she doesn’t know won’t hurt’er, I guess?”

“Yeah, I guess,” he chuckled again.

He leaned over and turned out his light, basking the room in total darkness.

The next morning, Tessa woke up first as she guessed.

But it was the way she woke up that was entirely unexpected.

That made her gut sink through to the floor and a heat build up so strong in her cheeks she felt like she was on fire.

Her head wasn’t even on her pillow anymore. Somehow, she had rolled over in her sleep and was laying with her head on Rhett’s firm yet somehow comfortable chest. Her arm was draped over his torso, her leg hitched up over his hips. And his arm…His arm was curved around her waist.

His fingers shoved into the waistband of her shorts, resting against the curve of her ass.

With another delicate little squeak, Tessa pulled away from him and scrambled up from the bed. Rhett didn’t seem too bothered by her sudden and not so subtle movement. He only groaned and rolled over. A heavy sleeper it seemed. And she stared at him wide eyed, standing there still feeling his warmth on her skin.

This was going to be a long week.

i no longer have a taglist, please follow @anniesocsandlibrary and turn on notifications for updates

#oc: tessa abernathy #fic: frontier days #fd: outer range #rhett abbott #rhett abbott x oc #rhett abbott imagine #rhett abbott fanfiction #rhett abbott fanfic #rhett abbott fic #outer range #outer range imagine #outer range fic #ocapp #fic request #filled prompt #rhett abbott x tesa abernathy #lewis pullman

38 notes · View notes

wormonastringtheory · 6 months

Text

This is most of the work I have for sale right now. We need to make sales to help with the cost of bus tickets, my trip to Toronto for a medical appointment next month, money for an occasional Uber on bad pain days, nausea meds, and money to pay Mason's family back for the short term rental we are now in. Please reblog to help a trans disabled couple with living expenses.

I also have poem commissions open, along with digital drawing ones.

18 notes · View notes

nationwidecarservice · 7 months

Text

Transportation Options for Prom Offered by a Charter Bus Rental Near Me

Explore the epitome of luxury and convenience with our Nationwide Chauffeured Services for prom night. Our charter bus rental near me company ensures a seamless and stylish transportation experience, providing spacious and well-appointed vehicles, professional drivers, and a commitment to making your prom night memorable and worry-free. Travel in sophistication with us. Solve your problems…

View On WordPress

0 notes

mbta-unofficial · 4 months

Text

Low Income T Riders:

The Rollout of the Low Income MBTA fare program is in the public comment phase until Feb. 29.

Comment here:

Email [email protected]

Call (857) 327-3282

Mail to:

Public Engagement Department

10 Park Plaza, Suite 3830

Boston, MA 02116

Meetings to discuss changes are Here all over boston starting today.

Talking points:

Free bus fare would contribute to higher on-time rates and decreased bunching from lower stop times

Free bus fare would reduce administrative costs for low income rider programs to zero

Free Bus Fare would reduce violence on the T: Fares are the single most common flash point for driver assault

Free Bus fare would increase mobility for lower income people who have been demonstrated to increase their use of transit if fares are reduced.

The MBTA, like the NY Subway, should have its budget balanced by Tolls, Gas, Vehicle Licensing, vehicle rental, Payroll and Real Estate taxes as a direct incentive for businesses to switch operations away from private vehicles and towards public transit

Please reblog this if you like the shitposts, I want people engaging with the MBTA political process

14 notes · View notes

cowboyjen68 · 2 years

Note

Hi Jen.

I hope you're well. I was hoping you can possibly give me some general life advice?

I have the possibility to finally move away from home and live with a friend I've known for 8 years (I am 26). My homelife is allright and my dad is accepting of my sexuality but mildly transphobic to the point where I'm not out and don't feel comfortable bringing it up.

I have saved up a sum of money (above 5k) to fund this move but the only problem is I don't currently have a steady job. (I've freelanced for the past 3 but it's not enough to cover rent)

We'd be sharing the apartment and to get it I need to be on the lease. The idea of signing for something without steady income to cover it makes the alarm bells go off in my head. Me and my friend have discussed this and she assured me that she would cover the rent completely until I actually move in/find steady employment (her current apartment costs the same). We've also discussed what would happen if she were no longer able to afford the place and the full responsibility would fall on me, but she doesn't see that happening as she has her family to fall back on for that if she was suddenly unfit to work.

Am I right to still be wary? Should I just go along and sign the lease even though I'm really scared of the possible consequences? Should I just stop overthinking this and just enjoy this really good thing that's about to happen??

please let me know what you think

As a parent of several 25 year olds (3) and as a former 26 year old (long ago) I would say it is time to move out and try life as an independent adult. It sounds like you have a decent relationship with your parent(s) so if things went terribly wrong you would have a place to land.

There is never any guaranty in life that a roommate situation or even a living alone rental situation will go smoothly or as planned. It is almost a sure thing you and her will have to navigate some unforeseen incompatibilities or iron out some quirks to make cohabiting comfortable for both of you. It is part of life to learn how to negotiate needs and boundaries with other people. It starts as we become teens with our parents and then, for me, college roommates and then apartment living with 5 gay guys in the very early 90's.

I think you will find that the move to share rental space and responsibility will be mutually beneficial to both of you. It is best to not be financially reliant on each other, basically, with a short grace period to get moved and your feet under you, you should work to pay your fair share. It is a great idea that in the interim while you seek gainful employment you use the extra time to give a little more effort to the household. Extra cleaning, errands, cooking is a way to show you appreciate the short reprieve from being a full financial partner while you get settled.

Having a roommate can mean learning to negotiate what is fair in payment, cleaning, and other responsibilities but it is also nice to have someone around. Having a sound relationship with a roommate means a built in support. She gives you a ride when the bus won't do and you give her gas money. When she wants to travel for a few days you are keeping the house safe, watering plants and bringing in the mail. When one of you is sick the other can pick up some of the cleaning slack until recovery.

When I rented my first place with those 5 men I had just started a new job, fresh from my undergrad and going to grad school. I paid my fair share and contributed by cleaning the kitchen and shoveling the drive during snowy times. When I lost my first job I only had enough money saved for half the rent. I was not instantly homeless because my roommates picked up my share and in turn I did some extra errands and cleaning for the house. I worked VERY hard to get a new job and did after two weeks. I often wanted to quit that flower shop job but did not because I LIKED the independence and I enjoyed not owing anyone anything.

I believe you will find that moving on your own will give you much more drive to find a job with consistent earnings. It feels good to feel stable and be an equal contributor. Having your name on the lease insures you have some skin in the game. It ensures that you ARE accountable to pay your part AND save for future mishaps. If two people are working together to make living more affordable it is a wonderful partnership.

This world is not build for single income independent living. It has not been as long as I have been alive (54 years) and perhaps never has been. Mutually shared space and financial responsibility is a long standing survival tactic. And learning to communicate and navigate in such situations is a beneficial skill.

#roommates #sharing space #independence

95 notes · View notes

spudlord · 3 months

Text

Crowd Funding !!

Venmo: jesse-a94

Cash app: $jessethecutie

Paypal or zelle: [email protected]

475/2500 I don't know if I even have active followers anymore over here but I am sharing this everywhere I can because I'm pretty desperate. I know money is tight for everyone and there are so many worthy causes and people to donate to right now so I was really hesitant to toward to crowd funding for this but I am at my breaking point. Please consider helping 2 queers find better housing closer to our jobs& friends. Even if you can only send 1 dollar, every penny will help. If you can't donate, please consider sharing!My wife& I are near our breaking point with our current housing situation. I'm asking for donations to help us move.

I didn't want to turn to crowd funding for this but I'm beginning to feel desperate. Based on the rent we could afford monthly we need about 2000 dollars for move in fees, but we've been hoping to save around 2500 to be safe since moving comes with a lot of unexpected costs and we'd need to rent a moving truck since we don't own a car. We currently have 475 dollars set aside and will also be trying our best to put aside every extra penny we have after bills&groceries& other necessities.

We're 2 disabled queer people trying hard to get our shit together. We've been trying to save for months to move us and our 2 cats but every time we get close an emergency happens or one or both of us gets sick and misses a lot of work. Our current rental house is moldy, and has a laundry list of issues that are impacting our health. It's also a 2 hour commute one way via bus to our jobs. We're trying to move to the Oak Park or Ferndale area so we're walking distance from our jobs, and many of our friends/support network, to be closer to my doctors, and closer to more bus lines since I can't drive due to my disability. Thank you for hearing me out at least and please consider sharing or donating or helping in any way you may be able to.

#crowd funding #gofundme #mutual aid #paypal #cash app #venmo #zelle

6 notes · View notes

rahmercy · 4 months

Text

My mom has been battling stage 3 pancreatic cancer and 2 days ago, she completed her 4th chemotherapy session. She has 2 more to go before they assess it to remove the tumor.

She was diagnosed on November 28, 2023. She began chemotherapy December 26, 2023 and was admitted to the emergency room later that day from complications. She was discharged December 29, 2023 and my family came down to Florida on December 30, 2023.

On her birthday, January 2, 2024, after her follow-up meeting with her oncologist. She was feeling defeated about how things had been happening since her diagnosis. She vocalized no desire to live in front of us (including my 12 year old daughter (her only grandchild)).

My family (my spouse, daughter & myself), at the suggestion of my spouse made the commitment to be her ongoing support system. This is so she could make whatever decision she wanted regarding how she chooses to proceed with her diagnosis.

I personally committed to split time between our 2 bedroom home in Durham, North Carolina & her 1 bedroom apartment in Fort Lauderdale, Florida to make sure we could commit to her health treatment planned as it began taking effect on December 26, 2023.

We did not request anything from anybody and agreed to take on the additional financial burdens it would place on us to fulfill this commitment, (despite knowing we weren't in the financial situation to do so).

We arranged things so my spouse and daughter could return to school in NC on January 8th. I stayed back with my mom for that chemo week. Since I'm a business owner with time flexibility, I would make the trips and stay with my mom throughout the treatment windows in Florida.

This agreement means renting a car for an one-way trip to North Carolina or Florida weekly (a $200-275 expense & 11-14 hours of travel time per trip). The first time we brought her up to NC ever, my spouse drove our car down to get us and then shared in the responsibility of driving back to NC. It cost us $250 in fuel and food for the trip. We realized it gave my mom & I more flexibility in travel days, saved on time spent on the road, and cost the same to just rent a car (Chevrolet Malibu) for each trip.

This agreement meant now sourcing food with all my mom's health dietary restrictions (from having a gastric sleeve) & her diagnosis dietary restrictions for 2 households. As well as me preparing most meals for both homes while I'm in and away from NC. In addition, replacing gluten with gluten-free alternatives in the diet. (A lot more coconut and almond based supplies). Cooking meals for a family of four that works and can be considered Keto-friendly and cancer friendly and while trying to stay under a budget of $300-$350 monthly.

Since we've implemented this plan to be her support system, all hell has broken loose in our lives. (My mom calls it just life lifing though).

On Martin Luther King weekend, began a school district wide issue in my Daughter's school system. Different staff began protesting and calling out of work (which we personally support their stances) due to significant pay discrepancies being communicated.

This immediately meant unreliable transportation for my daughter getting to & from school 25+ minutes away. My spouse teaches in a different school system 20 minutes in the opposite direction of my daughter's school, and we only have one car. Since she started middle school this year, their school school arrival times are the same. But her bus pick-up time solved the problem there. So there is now an ongoing possibility of him being late to work at his school daily.

On our first trip back down for treatment, it went perfect with the rental, until I realized after returning the rental car that I had lost my business cellphone inside of the rental car. (It hasn't been found by Budget's staff during cleaning and the car had already been rented out again less than 2 hours after being dropped off.) So I still have to pay to get that phone replaced.

This is compiled on top of this being my businesses' slow season and having no reserves to catch the $950 overhead in monthly expenses that comes from inventory space, business insurance, & hosting email domains, office assistant services & website. We only one future booking on the calendar and it's for a new build. January there was only $900 made. $300 had to go towards having to subrent out the job because it over lapped with chemo treatment and would cost twice as much to keep in-house with temp staff. $150 went towards repaying our transaction based capital funding loan from Shopify. $120 went towards getting 2 items of inventory for the second booking.

So I borrowed funds from something I couldn't afford to take from just to keep all of our inventory spaces secured.

My Chase credit card is over the limit by $140 and a payment is due today. My secure loan payment with Navy Federal is also due today and I don't have any of it. My business insurance payment of $200 is due tomorrow, and I don't have that either.

And the difference in the cost for our last car rental to come down for chemo week is still due back to the card I used for it. And I have to pay 200 for the car rental to go back up to NC Monday.

Then back in NC, this week on Tuesday, our only car's engine light came on. It was taken into our dealership on Wednesday morning to find out why. That diagnostic end up costing $250. We finally got answers Friday afternoon. Our car has 139k miles on it, and we're being told the engine needs to be replaced. It has been quoted $8k to have a used engine put into it or over $12k to have a new engine with a lifetime warranty put into our 2016 Chevrolet Cruze premier.

This car gets everyone to school and has been how my spouse has been supplementing his income working for the school system and parks & rec by doing Shipt. So now income has been reduced even more and expenses have drastically increased more.

MY business first official rental booking for this year took place yesterday, and that was supposed to be able to be delivered using our car. Since it's still in the shop, we had to book a last-minute $200 car rental for my spouse and daughter to fulfill the booking delivery yesterday and to be able to go back to do the rental booking pick-up today.

Emergency fund is pretty much exhausted after this week and the savings, too. Then today, with a little downtime, I learn that all my email payments were due on MLK weekend. This resulted in 5 email domains (3 important ones needed for tax filings) to be canceled by godaddy after 2 weeks of missing the payment notifications. I've had the email plan for almost 10 years, and it initially only cost me $14/month for all 5 emails. But because it was canceled and the package no longer exists, it cost me $29/month to have them reactivate and restore the 3 important emails or over $70/month to get them all reactivated. I only activated the 3 and paid it up until April for $59, so I don't miss its before filing taxes.

This week in Florida, my mom's cancer treatment visits started charging her a copay. Due to an error that recently took place on the backend by her health insurance. It's taking longer to resolve it with then despite them already seeing that it'san error in their coordination of benefits process. This week alone, we had to pay $325 in co-pays just to avoid the chemotherapy and white blood cell visits at the oncologist from being canceled by their office. The error is still causing a previous $200 outstanding balance to reflect on her account.

TODAY, it all became too much to hold in any longer. I have never had to face this many trials all at once while still having ongoing ones coming my way. My heart, mind & spirit is heavy right now. I need GOD to do something supernatural for my family in this season. In a way, only God can show up. I'm not broken. My faith isn't shaken. We're not going back on our commitment. Cancer won't defeat my family! We're breaking so many generational cycles right now. Cancer was just the catalyst to expedite the process.

#cancer #queen life

5 notes · View notes

xxlovelynovaxx · 1 year

Text

This is breaking my heart but... our landlord is trying to evict us for holding them to the repairs they are responsible for according to our lease (yes it's unlawful, hopefully we will get away with a warning, but I no longer feel safe in our home), our state is trying to outlaw transition care for adults, and I need better medical care for my disabilities than is available here.

So I think I have to sell most of my Rainbow High dolls.

I'm doing an interest check right now for selling them as a full lot, because it would be really hard for me to organize everything while my chronic illness is really bad. I have series 1-4 of Rainbow High, the cheerleaders, series 1 of Shadow High, the De'vious Twins, Kia, Lily, Jett, series 1 of junior high, winter break, pacific coast, rainbow vision (divas, royal three, and neon shadow), rockstars, sleepover, and Roxie. I also have the house, the bus, and the fashion closet, as well as the salon chair. Only ones I'm keeping are all Amayas, Ainsley, and Avery.

I know it's close to original msrp value for the lot, but I would be asking for about $3k all told since it is for emergency fundraising, plus shipping. I have all parts and pieces. All dolls are out of box but are in perfect or near-perfect condition. I even have the combs and brushes and the coloring gel that came with white haired Amaya. I could also knock off up to $500 (plus not charging shipping ofc) if you wanted to drive from non-locally to pick it up rather than risk shipping it.

I honestly feel like if I do this there's no going back but... I need a rental with a landlord that isn't a petty spite-filled shady son of a doll more than I need my collection. I've gone through far too much trauma already in my life and desperately need that security. I also need to know my partner and I will be able to remain on hormones and that I'll be able to get adequate healthcare.

So if anyone with the means and willingness to do this is here, or if you know anyone who is, please let me know.

And, idk if this is allowed so I'll edit my post if not, but if anyone is willing to donate I can share my paypal/venmo/cashapp tags. Even my full Rainbow High collection would only cover about half the cost of moving if we want to bring our stuff instead of stuffing it in a storage unit until a later date, so every bit helps.

#rainbow high #dolls #doll collection

9 notes · View notes

f1yogurt · 2 years

Text

Travel guide for the US GP in Austin, TX

Going to the race in ATX and have some downtime during the weekend? Here are some tips from a local about how to enjoy the city on a budget.

So I thought it would be fun to spend a bit of time putting together a brief guide about low cost options of what to do in Austin if you have extra time over the weekend to spend in the city. Even if you're not going to the race, this is just a general guide to Austin so feel free to save this if you plan to travel here in the future.

My goal is to not recommend most of the generic things from travel sites and instead explain my favorite hotspots. I tried to include low cost things that don’t really require any preparation or reservations.

Please ask me you have more questions about places in ATX, I love answering.

General tips

Avoid driving as much as you possibly can. Traffic here is insane. Public transportation in the city is lacking, so plan to spend extra time traveling. I recommend taking the busses. Yes there are also Lime scooters and bikes that you can ride.

Most restaurants offer live music in the evenings and I would recommend staying if you want to enjoy a bit of the city’s classic charm.

Rainey Street (an area with bars and food trucks) is amazing but if you choose to go, I do warn you that it might be really busy. Same with South Congress.

Parking is a nightmare so prepare for that. Again I recommend taking the bus (or Uber if it fits your budget). Download the CapMetro app on your phone.

Don’t go to Zilker Park unless you’re going for Austin City Limits. The festival is happening all weekend at the park and you need tickets.

Try out as many food trucks as possible. Almost all of them are delicious. They offer BBQ, tacos, Tex-Mex, a huge variety of international dishes, desserts, ice cream, etc.

Touristy things that are worth it (in my opinion)

Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail - perfect for the outdoors. Fun fact: Bottas went on a bike ride on some trails here during last year’s race, I bet he’ll do it again.

Barton Springs Pool - may be a bit chilly depending on the weather but worth it

SoCo (South Congress) - essentially a strip of shops, restaurants, etc. that are the heart of Austin

Swap the Mount Bonnell hike for the 360 Pennybacker Bridge outlook. Better views.

– Must Do’s –

6th Street - If you love nightlife or want to go clubbing or bar hopping, this is the place to be. I don’t have any specific recommendations because I guarantee you’ll end up having a great time.

Reminder: Drinking age is 21 here and every bar does check your ID so don’t think you can slip past if you’re not 21+.

Coffee shops and cafes - Similar to the 6th Street advice, you can’t go wrong with any coffee shop here, I promise. But a few of my favorites are:

Hank’s - boho aesthetic, lots of space indoors, also has good food

Easy Tiger - this place is a cafe, bakery, bar, and beer garden all in one

Mozart’s Coffee Roasters - Service isn’t always the best, but you make up for that with the incredible lake view. Worth it. They also offer live music in the evenings.

Cafe Medici - vibes and good drinks, you’ll also probably find lots of students here studying and enjoying a break from classes

Lucky Lab Cafe - There’s a location that’s by the university with an outdoor patio. If the day isn’t too hot, it’s nice to sit outside.

Austin City Limits - If you can find last minute tickets for a day, then I highly recommend it! The festival goes on the entire weekend so you can pick the day(s) you go.

Outdoor favorites. Be active. Take pictures. Enjoy life.

360 Bridge outlook - perfect photo spot, gorgeous view of the lake, preferably at sunrise or sunset

The Oasis - restaurant with the best views, about a 40 minute drive from downtown Austin

Nature Trails - Barton Creek greenbelt, Mount Bonnell (short hike with a view of Lake Austin), Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail (view of downtown Austin skyline)

Rowing Dock - offers paddleboard rentals if you want to glide down Lady Bird Lake see the downtown city skyline from the water

Lake Austin, Lake Travis, Lady Bird Lake

Eat food in beautiful places. Food here consists of mainly tacos, BBQ, and Tex-Mex. Enjoy it.

The County Line - great BBQ with a bonus of being by the lake

But stay away from BBQ places downtown like La Barbecue and Franklin’s which have long wait times.

The Oasis - Expensive/mediocre food, but gorgeous view of the lake at sunset

The Hula Hut - Tex-Mex and a bit of everything on the menu, by the lake. It’s super crowded but they have a bar area outside where you can seat yourself without waiting.

Chuy’s - the best Tex-Mex you’ll ever eat

Torchy’s Tacos - some of the best tacos in Austin

Jet ski or rent a boat on Lake Travis - if you love the water, head down to 360 bridge boat ramp and ask about rentals. This is the one thing that might require prior preparation, but I highly recommend it if you're able.

Mansfield Dam Park - great lake views, areas to hike and swim even if you don't have a boat. 45 minutes from downtown. $5 cash entrance fee per person.

There are so many more as well. Austin is a great city and you can't go wrong with any activity that you do.

#austin texas #travel #f1 #formula 1 #formula one #travel tips #austin gp #austin gp 2022 #us gp 2022 #us gp #anyways i spent too much time on this

20 notes · View notes